Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1887-09-23
The shell broke into fragments.

in admiration. "you actually killed
him?"
Z" In order to offer you these bon
bons, which are not, make free to say,
within the reach Of everybody"
spare my readers the details of the
adventure.
What sorry spectacle the poor
strangled rabbit made by the Side OF
this glorious trophy!
AS for me-" said I, II have my little
surprise too, only it has not yet arrived,
and il you will take my advice we will
dine without waiting for it."
We've taking coffee when servant
announced that an artillery man had just
deposited my present in tho salon.
"What can 1t be2" said Nine. Du-
tally.
Don't investigate, dear madame; it
Is q bombshell. Dutailly has several
times expressed to me his wish to have
O bombshell-a real one, thxt had boon
used; SO at my request my friend Ro-
land, who commands u battery, has sent
me this one from the plateau Of AKRON,
where 1t forgot to explode when it
fell"
While speaking united the blue rib
bon. tore off the paper, and there. sure
enough, was the shell-black, sinister,
menacing.
Parbieum said Dutailly "You de-
light me, l will have it made into
clock for my Office"
But" objected Nine. Dutaillv, a
little nervously, d" if it has not ex-
ploded-"
"Oh! rest easy! 1t was agreed that
Roland should send it cleaned out and
empty. Here is his letter"
opened note that had been fastened
to the shell and prepared to read it aloud,
but my face betrayed so much surprise
and alarm that every one exclaimed:
Whats the matter?"
Mon Dicu! THAT is listen," and
I read:
Dear friend-This. Is the sholl you
asked for--only it was impossible for
me to find an ertilleryman who knew,
how to extract the load. Have it takei
. the gunsmiths in tho Passage de
tOpera, who does this kind Of work very
cleverly. But the greatest caution must
e uscd-not tho slightest shock or fric-
tion-for the thickness Of a sheet OF
paper would not"
4" Take it away! take 1t away" cried
Nine. Dntailly. "It is dreadful to have
Il bombshcl in my salon."
BE calm" said l, stretching out
my hand. Be calm. There is no
cause for alarm. The artilleryman who
brought it can take it away again."
- But, monsieur" said the servant.
the man has gone"
Fresh CONSERVATION.
"Thcn." said /, " it Is for me-"
" forbid it, eagerly exclaimed Nine.
Dutailly. You are not strong enough
To carry 1t. You would let it fall on tho
In Ct, to-
or somewhere else"
d" This" added Nine. Dutailly, "is
the task OF n strong man. fortunately
we have the captain here"
" but" said the captain.
Certainly, my good fellow, you arc
as strong as a Turk and up to this
sort OF thi <. You make no more OF
handling balls and shells than boy does
of playing marbles or football"
" Pardon parlon" objected tho cap-
tain, who was visibly losing color. 1t
is only a shell. why not wait until to-
morrow and have it taken"
But Nine. Dutailly began to object
again: Tomorrow? And not get a
wink OF sleep all nght2 1 would rather
go and lodge in n hotel"
Here Anatole mildly remarked
Remain at homo. madame. l Will
CdIiy Inc SHtli JO--
Clearly" said l, it is no task for
sick man"
- But for the captain" continued
Dutailly, Il have confidence in no
one but him. Come, captain, be quick
Take away this monster and relieve u.
from ournightmare."
" Indeed" said he smilinglv, "thc
task seems to fall to me. l was gone
TO say when you interrupted me Just
now, that tho carrying OF this weapon b.
pedestrian is extra hazardous. / s
transport alton by carriage is the only
safe method. Give me time to buckle
on my sword belt and go for a conveyance.
matter of ten or fifteen minutes at the
most"
Well, be quick" said Nine. Dutailly.
Z" l shall not dare to breathe while you
are gone"
" run, dear madame" saying which
the captain took his cloak and his kept
and vanished.
returned TO the salon.
- 1t was - easy to have let me take
it, murmurcd Anatole.
" Be quiet" replied Dutailly. 1t is
far better to have left tito the captain"
" Provided" groaned Nine. Dutailly
:" he don't make us wait too long"
As to making you wait. dear
madame, you can rely on his doing
that" said 1 gayly. :" He will not
return"
Gracious! What do you mean?"
mean, my dear friends thnt your
cap ain is a swindler, and | congratulate
myself upon having dismounted his guns
with this harmless engine OF war. Look
here!'
And taking a Photographic album,
dealt a heavy blow on the top of the
she'll, which broke into fragments
fragments OF chocolate, for it was choco-
late-strewing the floor with grapeshot
of cornfits, burnt almonds and pis.
taehios.
Three months later Anatole married
Gertrude. But the captain did not at